Tensioner with spring force control

ABSTRACT

A tensioner for tensioning a chain or belt span which uses two pistons. The movement of the two pistons may be coupled together. The first piston provides damping to the chain span and a second piston provides variable, dominant and automatically adjusting spring force to the chain span. The tensioner automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain or belt tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to the field of tensioners. More particularly, the invention pertains to a tensioner with spring force control in a second bore of the housing.

Description of Related Art

Generally, in timing chains for valve drives of internal combustion engines, camshaft chains in use for a camshaft-camshaft drive, and balancer chains have tensioners that are used on the slack side of a chain to take up slack in the chain and to apply tension to the chain.

During operation, a piston of the tensioner presses against the chain to maintain tension in the chain. When tension in the chain increases during operation due to resonance of a chain span, a high load from the chain acts on the piston of the tensioner, causing the piston to extend as the tensioner pumps up to keep the tension in the chain.

Chain drive tensioner spring force is often too high for most operating conditions because the spring force needs to be sufficient to handle worst case operating conditions of the tensioner system. The effectiveness of the tensioner and the overall system behavior and efficiency could be improved if the tensioner spring force could be varied with operating conditions, taking into account wear and stretching that occurs in the chain during the life of the chain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tensioner for tensioning a chain or belt span which uses two pistons. The movement of the two pistons may be coupled together. The first piston provides damping to the chain or belt span and a second piston provides variable and automatically adjusting spring force to the chain or belt span. The tensioner automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of a tensioner of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2a shows a schematic of a tensioner of a second embodiment tensioning a chain under normal operating conditions. FIG. 2b shows a schematic of a tensioner tensioning a chain in response to high dynamic load.

FIG. 3a shows a schematic of a tensioner of a third embodiment tensioning a chain under normal operating conditions. FIG. 3b shows a schematic of a tensioner tensioning a chain in response to high dynamic load.

FIG. 4a shows a schematic of a tensioner of a fourth embodiment tensioning a chain under normal operating conditions. FIG. 4b shows a schematic of a tensioner tensioning a chain in response to high dynamic load.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic of a first piston in a first bore connected to a second piston in a second bore.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic of a second piston in a second bore moving a first piston in a first bore through an extension of the first piston.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the tensioner of the first embodiment tensioning a chain through an arm.

FIG. 8a shows a schematic of a tensioner of another embodiment tensioning a chain under normal operating conditions. FIG. 8b shows a schematic of the tensioner of FIG. 8a tensioning a chain in response to high dynamic load.

FIG. 9a shows a schematic of a tensioner of another embodiment tensioning a chain under normal operating conditions. FIG. 9b shows a schematic of the tensioner of FIG. 9a tensioning a chain in response to high dynamic load.

FIG. 10a shows a schematic of a tensioner of another embodiment tensioning a chain under normal operating conditions. FIG. 10b shows a schematic of a tensioner of the tensioner of FIG. 10a tensioning a chain in response to high dynamic load.

FIG. 11a shows a schematic of a tensioner of another embodiment tensioning a chain under normal operating conditions. FIG. 11b shows a schematic of a tensioner of the tensioner of FIG. 11a tensioning a chain in response to high dynamic load.

FIG. 12a shows a schematic of a tensioner of another embodiment tensioning a chain under normal operating conditions. FIG. 12b shows a schematic of a tensioner of the tensioner of FIG. 12a tensioning a chain in response to high dynamic load.

FIG. 13a shows a schematic of a tensioner of another embodiment tensioning a chain under normal operating conditions. FIG. 13b shows a schematic of a tensioner of the tensioner of FIG. 13a tensioning a chain in response to high dynamic load.

FIG. 14a shows a schematic of a tensioner of another embodiment tensioning a chain under normal operating conditions. FIG. 14b shows a schematic of a tensioner of the tensioner of FIG. 14a tensioning a chain in response to high dynamic load.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-14 show tensioners using a passive control system to maintain tension of a chain span or belt. Passive control is defined as a system in which no feedback is used to regulate the position of a first piston relative to a second piston or between the position of a moveable sleeve relative to the position of a piston.

The tensioner systems of the present invention include a tensioner (described in further detail below) for a closed loop chain or belt drive system used in an internal combustion engine. It may be utilized on a closed loop power transmission system between a driveshaft and at least one camshaft or on a balance shaft system between the driveshaft and a balance shaft. The tensioner system may also include an oil pump and be used with fuel pump drives. Additionally, the tensioner system of the present invention may also be used with belt drives.

FIG. 1 shows tensioner systems using passive control to maintain the position of a moveable sleeve 10 relative to a piston 3. Passive control is defined as a system in which no feedback is used to regulate the position of a movable sleeve 10 relative to a piston 3 of the tensioner 1. The passive system is in contrast to an active control system in which real time feedback of components of the engine are used to regulate the position of the movable sleeve 10.

The tensioner 1 includes a housing 2 having a first axially extending piston bore 2 a. Received within the bore 2 a of the housing 2 is a moveable sleeve 10. The moveable sleeve 10 has a first open end 13 a and a second open end 14 a which are separated by an inner flange 11 with a through hole 12. The first open end 13 a is defined by a top inner diameter portion 13, a top surface 15 of the inner flange 11 and the second open end 14 a is defined by a bottom inner diameter portion 14 and a bottom surface 16 of the inner flange 11. The through hole 12 of the inner flange 11 connects the first open end 13 a with the second open end 14 a. A top surface 17 of the moveable sleeve 10 is exposed to atmospheric pressure of the engine.

Received within the first open end 13 a of the moveable sleeve 10, defined by the top inner diameter portion 13 and the top surface 15 of the inner flange 11, is a hollow piston 3. Within the hollow piston 3 is a piston spring 4 biasing the piston 3 outwards from the housing 2. The piston spring 4 has a first end 4 a in contact with the inner portion 3 a of the hollow piston 3 and a second end 4 b in contact with a top surface 15 of the inner flange 11 of the moveable sleeve 10. It should be noted that while the piston 3 is shown as being hollow, the present invention could also apply to a solid piston, with the piston spring connecting the end of the piston.

Received within the second opening 14 a of the moveable sleeve 10, defined by the bottom inner diameter portion 14 and the bottom surface 16 of the inner flange 11, is a bias sleeve spring 5. The first end 5 a of the bias sleeve spring 5 is in contact with a bottom surface 16 of the inner flange 11 of the moveable sleeve 10 and the second end 5 b of the bias sleeve spring 5 is in contact with a check valve 8 of the bore 2 a. The bias sleeve spring 5 provides a bias force to maintain some outward force on the moveable sleeve 10. A pressure chamber 18 is formed between the top inner diameter portion 13 of the moveable sleeve 10, the bottom inner diameter portion 14 of the moveable sleeve 10, the bore 2 a of the housing, and the interior 3 a of the piston 3. The through hole 12 is present in the inner flange 11 and allows fluid to flow from the second opening 14 a to the first opening 13 a of the moveable sleeve 10.

At the bottom of the bore 2 a is an inlet supply line 6 which provides fluid to the pressure chamber 18 through an inlet check valve 8.

At least a portion of the moveable sleeve 10 is coupled to a second piston 20 received within a second axially extending piston bore 2 b of the housing 2 through a coupling 22. While the second piston 20 is shown as being connected to the top of the moveable sleeve 10, the connection can occur on other parts of the moveable sleeve 10. The coupling 22 may be a sleeve tab as shown in FIG. 1 or a flexible linkage. The second piston 20 does not need to be rigid or hard connection to the moveable sleeve 10 and can bias the moveable sleeve 10 from any contact point on the moveable sleeve 10.

Furthermore, while the second bore 2 b of the housing 2 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 2 a, the second bore 2 b may be perpendicular to the first bore 2 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 2 a.

In an alternate embodiment, the orientation of the second piston 20 could be inverted or reoriented to act on a coupling 22 that then biases the moveable sleeve 10, outwards from the housing 2.

In yet another embodiment, the secondary piston 20 could also have a flange around its outer diameter with a chamber on either side as shown in International Application No. PCT/US2012/053830, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

At the bottom of the second bore 2 b is an inlet supply line 9 which provides fluid through an inlet check valve 7 to a pressure chamber 24 formed between the second piston 20 and the bore 2 b of the housing 2. The coupling 22 between the second piston 20 and the moveable sleeve 10 is such that, if the second piston 20 is moved, the moveable sleeve 10 moves and vice versa. The fluid from the inlet supply line 9 may also be controlled by a control valve (not shown).

When the tensioner 1 is tensioning a new chain or belt, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first hydraulic chamber 18 from an inlet supply line 6 through an inlet check valve 8 to pressurize the first hydraulic chamber 18 and bias the piston 3 outward from the housing 2 in addition to the spring force from piston spring 4 biasing a span of the closed loop chain.

The supply providing fluid to the first bore 2 a through the first inlet supply line 6 may be the same as the supply providing fluid to second bore 2 b through inlet supply line 9. Alternatively, the supply supplying fluid to the first bore 2 a and the second bore 2 b of the housing 2 can be different.

When the tensioner 1 is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first hydraulic chamber 18 through an inlet check valve 8 from an inlet supply line 6 to pressurize the first hydraulic chamber 18 and bias the piston 3 outward from the housing 2. The piston 3 is also biased outward from the housing 2 by the spring 4 to bias a span of the closed loop chain or belt. As the chain or belt wears, the piston 3 has to be biased further outwards from the housing 2 in order to adequately tension the chain or belt. The bias sleeve spring 5 within the second open end 14 a of the moveable sleeve 10 biases the inner flange 11 outward from the housing 2, moving the end 4 b of the spring 4 further outwards from the housing 2 and towards the chain or belt.

When the tensioner 1 is tensioning a worn chain or belt during high dynamic chain or belt load, the high dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow) pushes the piston 3 inwards towards the housing 2 and then outwards from the housing 2, moving the second piston 20 inwards and outwards as well, pumping up the pressure or pressurizing the second pressure chamber 24, by drawing fluid through the inlet check valve 7 in the second bore 2 b of the housing 2. The pressurization of the second pressure chamber 24 in the second bore 2 a moves the second piston 20 and thus the moveable sleeve 10 outwards from the housing 2. The movement of the moveable sleeve 10 causes the inner flange 11 of the moveable sleeve 10 to exert an outward force on the piston 3 through the piston spring 4, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load decreases, the second pressure chamber 24 is depressurized and fluid leaks out to the engine through clearance between the second bore 2 b and the second piston 20.

Within the tensioner system of the present invention, movement of the moveable sleeve 10 moves the second end 4 b of the piston spring 4 biasing the piston 3 outwards from the housing 2, and therefore the spring force acting on the piston 3 is variable allowing the piston 3 to continually tension the chain or belt, even when the chain or belt becomes worn and stretched.

Furthermore, a vent or pressure relief valve (not shown) may be present within the hollow piston 3.

Seals (not shown) may be present between the bore 2 a and the moveable sleeve 10 or any other place within the tensioner as necessary.

Hydraulic stiffness of the tensioner is created by the pressure chambers 18 and 24 of the tensioner and substantially prevents inward movement of the piston 3 and the moveable sleeve 10 towards the housing 2 when the chain span or belt is under load.

In an alternate embodiment, the moveable sleeve 10 may be received within another sleeve in the first bore 2 a to aid in eliminating pressure that could result in undesired pump-up.

It should be noted that this is a mean position control device. It is unlikely that frequency response would be sufficient to dynamically vary the moveable sleeve position within an engine cycle. Pressure acting on the bottom surfaces of movable sleeve 10 may result in undesired pump-up. In an alternate embodiment, the moveable sleeve 10 may be received within another sleeve in the first bore 2 a to aid in eliminating pressure that could result in undesired pump-up. In another alternate embodiment, the piston 3 may fit over the outside of moveable sleeve 10 so the top and bottom surfaces of the moveable sleeve 10 are exposed to the same pressure.

FIGS. 2a-2b shows a tensioner of a second embodiment using passive control to tension a chain or belt under various conditions; FIG. 2a is tensioning a chain or belt without high loads; and FIG. 2b is tensioning a chain or belt with high load.

The tensioner includes a housing 102 having a first axially extending bore 102 a parallel to a second axially extending bore 102 b. While the second bore 102 c of the housing 102 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 102 a, the second bore 102 c may be perpendicular to the first bore 102 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 102 a.

Slidably received within the first axially extending bore 102 a is a first piston 103. The first piston 103 has a body with a first end 103 a, a second end 103 c, and a hollow interior 103 b. Present within the hollow interior 103 b of the first piston 103 is a first piston spring 104. The first piston spring 104 has a first end 104 a in contact with the interior 103 b of the first piston 103 or a volume reducer 105 and a second end 104 b in contact with a bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a of the housing 102. A first pressure chamber 111 is formed between the first piston 103 and the first axially extending bore 102 a. Fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through a first supply 106 through an inlet check valve 108. The first piston 103 is biased outwards from the housing 102 to bias a chain or belt through the first end 103 a of the first piston 103 by the force of the first piston spring 104 and the pressure of oil in the first pressure chamber 111.

Alternatively, the first piston 103 may not be hollow and the first piston spring 104 would contact the body of the first piston 103 and the bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a.

The second axially extending bore 102 c receives a moveable sleeve 112. The moveable sleeve 112 has a first open end 112 a and a second open end 112 b which are separated by an inner flange 113. The first open end 112 a of the moveable sleeve 112 is defined by a top inner diameter portion 118 and a top surface 113 a of the inner flange 113. The second open end 112 b of the moveable sleeve 112 is defined by a bottom inner diameter portion 119 and a bottom surface 113 b of the inner flange 113. The top surface 112 d of the moveable sleeve 112 and top surface 113 a of the inner flange is exposed to atmospheric pressure of the engine.

Received within the first open end 112 a of the moveable sleeve 112 is a second piston 110 having a body with a first end 110 a and a second end 110 b. A second piston spring 115 biases the second piston 110 outwards from the first open end 112 a of the moveable sleeve 112 of the housing 102 so that the first end 110 a of the second piston 110 can apply a force to the chain 400, preferably through an arm 401 as shown in FIG. 7. The second piston spring 115 has a first end 115 a in contact with the second end 110 b of the second piston 110 and a second end 115 b in contact with the top surface 113 a of the inner flange 113.

Alternatively, the second piston 110 may be hollow and the first end 110 a of the second piston spring would contact a hollow interior of the second piston 110.

Received within the second open end 112 b of the moveable sleeve 112 is a bias sleeve spring 116 and an optional volume reducer 114. The first end 116 a of the bias sleeve spring 116 is in contact with a bottom surface 113 b of the inner flange 113 or the volume reducer 114 and a second end 116 b of the bias sleeve spring 116 is in contact with a bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c of the housing 102. The bias sleeve spring 116 maintains the position of the moveable sleeve 112 within the second axially extending bore 102 c and prevents the moveable sleeve 112 from bottoming out within the second axially extending bore 102 c. The bias sleeve spring 116 preloads the second piston spring 115, in other words, moving the second end 115 b of the second piston spring 115 outwards from the housing 102. A second high pressure chamber 117 is formed between the bottom inner diameter portion 119 of the moveable sleeve 112, the bottom surface 113 b of the inner flange 113, and the bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c. The volume reducer 114 may also be present within this chamber 117. There is no fluid communication between the first open end 112 a and the second open end 112 b of the moveable sleeve 112 save for any leakage that may occur from the second high pressure chamber 117.

Fluid is supplied to the second high pressure chamber 117 through an inlet supply line 109 and preferably a check valve 107. The inlet supply 109 may or may not be connected to the inlet supply line 106.

The second piston spring 115 has a greater spring rate or spring constant than the first piston spring 104 or the bias sleeve spring 116.

Since there are two pistons 110, 103 to tension the chain span or belt, the leakage of the first pressure chamber 111 can be increased (as opposed to a conventional hydraulic tensioner where a certain mean pressure must be maintained within the pressure chamber to control the chain) to provide additional damping. The mean force required for chain control is supplied by the second piston 110 in the second axially extending bore 102 c.

When the tensioner is tensioning a new chain or belt as shown in FIG. 2a , during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 from the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt as shown in FIG. 7. At the same time, the second piston 110 is also biased outwards from the moveable sleeve 112 by the second piston spring 115 to bias a span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt. Ideally, the first piston 103 and the second piston 110 are biased outwards from the housing 102 approximately the same amount. In other words, the first ends 103 a, 110 a of the first and second pistons 103, 110 are aligned as shown in FIGS. 2a and 7.

When the tensioner is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt. At the same time, the second piston 110 is also biased outwards from the moveable sleeve 112 by the second piston spring 115 due to the movement of the moveable sleeve 112 by the bias sleeve spring 116 to bias the span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt. As the chain or belt wears, additional slack is present in the chain or belt span and the first piston 103 and second piston 110 would need to be extended further outwards from the housing 102 to bias and adequately tension the chain 400 or belt.

When the tensioner is tensioning a chain or belt during high dynamic chain or belt load, the high dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow) pushes the first piston 103 and the second piston 110 inwards towards the housing 102 and then outwards from the housing 102, pumping up the pressure or pressurizing the second pressure chamber 117, by drawing fluid through the inlet check valve 107 into the second bore 102 c of the housing 102. The pressurization of the second pressure chamber 117 in the second bore 102 c moves the moveable sleeve 112 outwards from the housing 102. The movement of the moveable sleeve 112 causes the inner flange 113 of the moveable sleeve 112 to exert an outward force on the second piston 110 through the second piston spring 115, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load decreases, fluid within the second pressure chamber 117 leaks to the engine through the second axially extending bore 102 c or through the volume reducer 114. This leakage reduces the mean pressure present within the second pressure chamber 117.

It should be noted that at all operating conditions, the pressure in the second pressure chamber 117 will pump up to maintain a minimum preload in the second piston spring 115. When the force or preload in the second piston spring 115 gets too low, the moveable sleeve 112 moves out from the housing, due to the bias sleeve spring 116 and pressure in the second pressure chamber 117 and draws more oil in through the inlet check valve 107.

Therefore, the first piston 103 in the first axially extending bore 102 a provides the dominant damping of the chain span 400 or belt and the second piston 110 in the second axially extending bore 102 c provides the dominant and automatically adjusting spring force. The tensioner of the present invention automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain or belt tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

FIGS. 3a-3b shows a tensioner of a third embodiment using passive control to tension a chain under various conditions; FIG. 3a is tensioning a chain without high loads; and FIG. 3b is tensioning a chain with high load.

The tensioner includes a housing 102 having a first axially extending bore 102 a parallel to a second axially extending bore 102 c. While the second bore 102 c of the housing 102 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 102 a, the second bore 102 c may be perpendicular to the first bore 102 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 102 a.

Slidably received within the first axially extending bore 102 a is a first piston 103. The first piston 103 has a body with a first end 103 a, a second end 103 c, and a hollow interior 103 b. Present within the hollow interior 103 b of the first piston 103 is a first piston spring 104. The first piston spring 104 has a first end 104 a in contact with the interior 103 b of the first piston 103 or a volume reducer 105 and a second end 104 b in contact with a bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a of the housing 102. A first pressure chamber 111 is formed between the first piston 103 and the first axially extending bore 102 a. Fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through a first supply 106 through an inlet check valve 108. The first piston 103 is biased outwards from the housing 102 to bias the chain through the first end 103 a of the first piston by the force of the first piston spring 104 and the pressure of oil in the first pressure chamber 111.

Alternatively, the first piston 103 may not be hollow and the first piston spring 104 would contact the body of the first piston 103 and the bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a.

The second axially extending bore 102 c slidably receives a second external piston 150 and a third piston 152. The second external piston 150 has a body with a first end 150 a, a second end 150 c, and a hollow interior 150 b. Present within the hollow interior 150 b is a second piston spring 151 for biasing the second piston 150 outwards from the housing 102. The second piston spring 151 has a first end 151 a in contact with the interior 150 b of the second external piston 150 and a second end 151 b in contact with a first end 152 a of the third piston 152. Alternatively, the second external piston 150 may not be hollow and the first end 151 a of the second piston spring 151 would contact the body of the second external piston 150.

The third piston 152 has a body with a first end 152 a, a second end 152 c, and a hollow interior 152 b. Present within the hollow interior 152 b is a third piston spring 154 for biasing the third piston 152 outwards from the housing and preloading the second piston spring 151, in other words moving the second end 151 b of the second piston spring 152 outwards from the housing 102. The third piston spring 154 has a first end 154 a in contact with the hollow interior 152 b or a volume reducer 153 and the second end 154 b is in contact with the bottom 102 c of the second axially extending bore 102 c of the housing 102.

A second high pressure chamber 155 is formed between the hollow interior 152 b, the second axially extending bore 102 c, and the third piston spring 154. Fluid is supplied to the second high pressure chamber 155 through an inlet supply 109 and preferably a check valve 107. The inlet supply 109 may or may not be connected to the inlet supply line 106.

There is no fluid communication between the hollow interior 150 b of the second piston 150 and the second high pressure chamber 155 save for any leakage that may occur.

The second piston spring 151 has a greater spring rate or spring constant than the first piston spring 104 and the third piston spring 154.

Since there are two pistons 150, 103 to tension the chain span or belt, the leakage of the first pressure chamber 111 can be increased (as opposed to a conventional hydraulic tensioner where a certain mean pressure must be maintained within the pressure chamber to control the chain) to provide additional damping. The mean force required for chain or belt control is supplied by the second piston 150 in the second axially extending bore 102 c.

When the tensioner is tensioning a new chain or belt as shown in FIG. 3a , during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 from the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt as shown in FIG. 7. At the same time, the second piston 150 is also biased outwards from the second axially extending bore 102 c by the second piston spring 151 to bias a span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt. Ideally, the first piston 103 and the second piston 150 are biased outwards from the housing 102 approximately the same amount. In other words, the first ends 103 a, 150 a of the first and the second pistons 103, 150 are aligned as shown in FIGS. 3a and 7.

When the tensioner is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt. At the same time, the second piston 150 is also biased outwards further through the second piston spring 151 due to the movement of the third piston 152 by the third piston spring 154 to bias the span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt. As the chain wears further, additional slack is present in the chain span and the first piston 103 and second piston 150 would need to be extended further outwards from the housing 102 to bias and adequately tension the chain 400 or belt.

When the tensioner is tensioning a chain or belt during high dynamic chain load, the high dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow) pushes the first piston 103 and the second piston 150 inwards towards the housing 102 and then outwards from the housing 102, pumping up the pressure or pressurizing the second pressure chamber 155, by drawing fluid through the inlet check valve 107 into the second bore 102 c of the housing 102. The pressurization of the second pressure chamber 155 in the second bore 102 c moves the third piston 152 outwards from the housing 102. The movement of the third piston 152 causes the first end 152 a of the third piston 152 to exert an outward force on the second piston 150 through the second piston spring 151, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load decreases, fluid within the second pressure chamber 155 leaks to the engine through the second axially extending bore 102 c or through the volume reducer 153. This leakage reduces the mean pressure present within the second pressure chamber 155.

It should be noted that at all operating conditions, the pressure in the second pressure chamber 155 will pump up to maintain a minimum preload in the second piston spring 151. When the force or preload in the second piston spring 151 gets too low, the third piston 152 moves out from the housing, due to the third piston spring 154 and pressure in the second pressure chamber 155 and draws more oil in through the inlet check valve 107.

Therefore, the first piston 103 in the first axially extending bore 102 a provides the dominant damping of the chain span or belt and the second piston 150 in the second axially extending bore 102 c provides the dominant and automatically adjusting spring force. The tensioner of the present invention automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain or belt tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

FIGS. 4a-4b shows a tensioner of a fourth embodiment using passive control to tension a chain under various conditions; FIG. 4a is tensioning a chain without high loads; and FIG. 4b is tensioning a chain with high load.

The tensioner includes a housing 102 having a first axially extending bore 102 a parallel to a second axially extending bore 102 b. While the second bore 102 c of the housing 102 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 102 a, the second bore 102 c may be perpendicular to the first bore 102 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 102 a.

Slidably received within the first axially extending bore 102 a is a first piston 103. The first piston 103 has a body with a first end 103 a, a second end 103 c, and a hollow interior 103 b. Present within the hollow interior 103 b of the first piston 103 is a first piston spring 104. The first piston spring 104 has a first end 104 a in contact with the interior 103 b of the first piston 103 or a volume reducer 105 and a second end 104 b in contact with a bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a of the housing 102. A first pressure chamber 111 is formed between the first piston 103 and the first axially extending bore 102 a. Fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through a first supply 106 through an inlet check valve 108. The first piston 103 is biased outwards from the housing 102 to bias the chain through the first end 103 a of the first piston 103 by the force of the first piston spring 104 and the pressure of oil in the first pressure chamber 111.

Alternatively, the first piston 103 may not be hollow and the first piston spring 104 would contact the body of the first piston 103 and the bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a.

The second axially extending bore 102 b slidably receives a second piston 200. The second piston 200 has a body with a first end 200 a, a second end 200 c and a hollow interior 200 b. The hollow interior 200 b receives a shaft 202 a of a “Y” shaped internal piston 202. The shaft 202 a of the Y-shaped internal piston 202 is connected to a body with a first end 202 d, a second end 202 b and a hollow interior 202 c. Between the second end 200 c of the second piston 200 and the first end 202 d of the body of the internal piston 202 d is a second piston spring 201. The second piston spring 201 has a first end 201 a in contact with the second end 200 c of the second piston 200 and a second end 201 b in contact with the first end 202 d of the internal piston 202. The second piston spring 201 biases the second piston 200 outwards from the housing 102.

Alternatively, the second piston spring may be present between the shaft 202 a of the Y-shaped internal piston 202 and the hollow interior 200 b of the second piston 200.

Within the hollow interior 202 c of the internal piston 202 is an internal piston spring 204. The internal piston spring 204 has a first end 204 a in contact a hollow interior 202 c of the internal piston 202 or a volume reducer 206 and a second end 204 b in contact with the bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c. The internal piston spring 204 biases the internal piston 202 outwards from the housing 102, biasing the second piston 200 outwards from the housing by changing the preload on the second piston spring 201. In other words, moving the second end 201 b of the second piston spring 201 outwards from the housing 102.

A second high pressure chamber 205 is formed between the hollow interior 202 c of the internal piston 202 and the bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c of the housing 102. Fluid is supplied to the second pressure chamber 205 through an inlet supply 109 and preferably a check valve 107. The inlet line 109 may or may not be connected to the inlet supply line 106.

The second piston spring 201 has a greater spring rate or spring constant than the first piston spring 104 and the internal piston spring 204.

Since there are two pistons 200, 103 to tension the chain span or belt, the leakage of the first pressure chamber 111 can be increased (as opposed to a conventional hydraulic tensioner where a certain mean pressure must be maintained within the pressure chamber to control the chain) to provide additional damping. The mean force required for chain or belt control is supplied by the second piston 200 in the second axially extending bore 102 c.

When the tensioner is tensioning a new chain or belt as shown in FIG. 4a , during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 from the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt as shown in FIG. 7. At the same time, the second piston 200 is also biased outwards from the second axially extending bore 102 c by the second piston spring 201 to bias a span of the closed loop chain or belt. Ideally, the first piston 103 and the second piston 200 are biased outwards from the housing 102 approximately the same amount. In other words, the first ends 103 a, 200 a of the first and the second pistons 103, 200 are aligned as shown in FIGS. 4a and 7.

When the tensioner is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt. At the same time, the second piston 200 is also biased outwards further through the second piston spring 201 due to the movement of the internal piston 202 by the internal piston spring 204 to bias the span of the closed loop chain 400 or belt. As the chain wears, additional slack is present in the chain span and the first piston 103 and second piston 200 would need to be extended further outwards from the housing 102 to bias and adequately tension the chain 400 or belt.

When the tensioner is tensioning a chain during high dynamic chain or belt load, the high dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow) pushes the first piston 103 and the second piston 200 inwards towards the housing 102 and then outwards from the housing 102, pumping up the pressure or pressurizing the second pressure chamber 205, by drawing fluid through the inlet check valve 107 in the second bore 102 c of the housing 102. The pressurization of the second pressure chamber 205 in the second bore 102 c moves the internal piston 202 outwards from the housing 102. The movement of the internal piston 202 causes the first end 202 d of the internal piston 202 to exert an outward force on the second piston 200 through the second piston spring 201, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load decreases, fluid within the second pressure chamber 205 leaks to the engine through the second axially extending bore 102 c or through the volume reducer 206. This leakage reduces the mean pressure present within the second pressure chamber 205.

It should be noted that at all operating conditions, the pressure in the second pressure chamber 205 will pump up to maintain a minimum preload in the second piston spring 201. When the force or preload in the second piston spring 201 gets too low, the internal piston 202 moves out from the housing, due to the internal piston spring 204 and pressure in the second pressure chamber 205 and draws more oil in through the inlet check valve 107.

Therefore, the first piston 103 in the first axially extending bore 102 a provides the dominant damping of the chain span or belt and the second piston 200 in the second axially extending bore 102 c provides the dominant and automatically adjusting spring force. The tensioner of the present invention automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain or belt tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

FIGS. 5-6 show different options for simultaneously controlling the first piston and the second piston of the embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the first piston 103 and the second piston 150 are directly attached through a linkage 310. Therefore, the movement of the first piston 103 and the second piston 150 are tied to each other. When the first piston 103 and the second piston 150 are coupled, the first piston spring 104 is optional. It should be noted that while the linkage was shown with the tensioner of the third embodiment, it can similarly be applied to the tensioners of FIGS. 2a-2b and 4a -4 b.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate configuration in which the first piston has an extension 312 with a top surface 312 a and a bottom surface 312 b. The bottom surface 312 b of the extension 312 is pushed on by the second piston 150 as the second piston 150 is biased outwards from the housing 102. It should be noted that while the linkage was shown with the tensioner of the third embodiment, it can similarly be applied to the tensioners of FIGS. 2a-2b and 4a-4b . In this embodiment, the first piston spring 104 is optional.

The volume reducers shown in any of the above embodiments may be replaced with a pressure relief valve or vent.

It should also be noted that the tensioner of FIGS. 2a-2b is shown in FIG. 7, however any of the tensioners present in the application would work with the chain span.

FIGS. 8a-8b show a tensioner of another embodiment using passive control to tension a chain or belt under various conditions; FIG. 8a shows tensioning a chain or belt without high loads; and FIG. 8b shows tensioning a chain or belt with high load.

The tensioner tensions the chain or belt (not shown) through a tensioner arm or shoe 402. It should be noted that the tensioner may also tension a belt through the tensioner arm or shoe 402. The tensioner arm 402 has a first sliding surface 402 b in contact with the chain or belt and a second surface 402 a opposite the first sliding surface 402 b. The second surface 402 a may be flat or mostly flat with some curvature.

The tensioner includes a housing 102 having a first axially extending bore 102 a parallel to a second axially extending bore 102 c. While the second bore 102 c of the housing 102 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 102 a, the second bore 102 c may be perpendicular to the first bore 102 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 102 a.

Slidably received within the first axially extending bore 102 a is a first piston 103. The first piston 103 has a body with a first end 103 a, a second end 103 c, and a hollow interior 103 b with a closed first end 103 d. Present within the hollow interior 103 b of the first piston 103 is a first piston spring 104. The first piston spring 104 has a first end 104 a in contact with the closed first end 103 d of the first piston 103 or a volume reducer 105 and a second end 104 b in contact with a bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a of the housing 102. A first pressure chamber 111 is formed between the first piston 103 and the first axially extending bore 102 a. Fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through a first supply 106 through an inlet check valve 108. The first piston 103 is biased outwards from the housing 102 to bias the chain through the first end 103 a of the first piston, through the tensioner arm 402 by the force of the first piston spring 104 and the pressure of oil in the first pressure chamber 111.

Alternatively, the first piston 103 could be solid, and in that case the first piston spring 104 would contact a bottom of the solid body of the first piston 103 and the bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a.

The second axially extending bore 102 c slidably receives a second piston 260. The second piston 260 has a body with a first end 260 a, a second end 260 c, and a hollow interior 260 b with a closed first end 260 d.

Present within the hollow interior 260 b is a second piston spring 266 for biasing the second piston 260 outwards from the housing 102. The second piston spring 266 has a first end 266 a in contact with the closed first end 260 d of the interior 260 b of the second piston 260 and a second end 266 b in contact with the bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c. While not shown, a volume reducer may be present within the interior 260 b of the second piston 260.

An external spring 261 is present between the first end 260 a of the second piston 260 and the second flat surface 402 a of the tensioner arm 402 with the first end 261 a of the external spring 260 in contact with the second surface 402 a of the tensioner arm 402 and the second end 261 b of the external spring 260 in contact with the first end 260 a of the second piston 260. The stiffness of the external spring 261 is preferably greater than the stiffness of the second piston spring 266. The spring rates for both the first piston spring 104 and the second piston spring 266 are preferably low. The movement of the second piston 260 moves the second end 261 b of the external spring 261 outwards from the housing 102.

A second high pressure chamber 267 is formed by the hollow interior 260 b and the second axially extending bore 102 c, within which is the second piston spring 266. Fluid is supplied to the second high pressure chamber 267 through an inlet supply 109 and preferably a check valve 107. The inlet supply 109 may or may not be connected to the inlet supply line 106.

When the tensioner is tensioning a new chain or belt as shown in FIG. 8a , during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 from the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through a tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 260 is also biased outwards from the second axially extending bore 102 c by the second piston spring 266 and fluid supplied to the second pressure chamber 267 from the second inlet supply 109 and through inlet check valve 109 to bias a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm through external spring 261.

When the tensioner is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 260 is also biased outwards further through the second piston spring 266. Tension is also maintained by the external spring 261 on the tensioner arm 402. As the chain or belt wears further, additional slack is present in the chain or belt span and the first piston 103 and second piston 260 would need to be extended further outwards from the housing 102 to bias and adequately tension the chain or belt.

When the tensioner is tensioning a chain or belt during high dynamic chain load, the high cyclic dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow in FIG. 8b ) alternately pushes the first piston 103 and the second piston 260 inwards towards the housing 102 and then outwards from the housing 102. Inward movement of the second piston 260 is resisted by fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber 267 created by check valve 107, and the second piston 260 moves outward by the force of spring 266. This causes the piston to “pump up”, drawing fluid through check valve 107 into the second pressure chamber 267 in the second bore 102 c. This causes the first end 260 a of the second piston 260 to exert an outward force on the tensioner arm 402 through the external spring 261, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load decreases, fluid within the second pressure chamber 267 leaks to the engine through the second axially extending bore 102 c or through a vent. This leakage reduces the mean pressure present within the second pressure chamber 267.

It should be noted that at all operating conditions, the pressure in the second pressure chamber 267 will pump up to maintain a minimum preload in the external spring 261. When the force or preload in the external spring 261 gets too low, the second piston 260 moves out from the housing, due to the second piston spring 266 and pressure in the second pressure chamber 267 and draws more oil in through the inlet check valve 107.

Therefore, the first piston 103 in the first axially extending bore 102 a provides the dominant damping of the chain span or belt and the second piston 260 in the second axially extending bore 102 c provides the dominant and automatically adjusting spring force through the external spring 261. The tensioner of the present invention automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain or belt tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

FIGS. 9a-9b show a tensioner of a another embodiment using passive control to tension a chain under various conditions; FIG. 9a is tensioning a chain without high loads; and FIG. 9b is tensioning a chain with high load. The tensioner of FIGS. 9a-9b differs from the tensioner in FIGS. 8a-8b in that the second piston 270 has a protrusion 270 d at the first end of the external piston 270 that extends into the external spring 271 to guide the external spring 271 between the tensioner arm 402 and the second piston 270, instead of having a flat surface.

The tensioner tensions the chain or belt (not shown) through a tensioner arm or shoe 402. It should be noted that the tensioner may also tension a belt through the tensioner arm or shoe 402. The tensioner arm 402 has a first sliding surface 402 b in contact with the chain or belt and a second surface 402 a opposite the first sliding surface 402 b. The second surface 402 a is flat or mostly flat with some curvature.

The tensioner includes a housing 102 having a first axially extending bore 102 a parallel to a second axially extending bore 102 c. While the second bore 102 c of the housing 102 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 102 a, the second bore 102 c may be perpendicular to the first bore 102 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 102 a.

Slidably received within the first axially extending bore 102 a is a first piston 103. The first piston 103 has a body with a first end 103 a, a second end 103 c, and a hollow interior 103 b with a closed first end 103 d. Present within the hollow interior 103 b of the first piston 103 is a first piston spring 104. The first piston spring 104 has a first end 104 a in contact with the closed first end 103 d of the first piston 103 or a volume reducer 105 and a second end 104 b in contact with a bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a of the housing 102. A first pressure chamber 111 is formed between the first piston 103 and the first axially extending bore 102 a. Fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through a first supply 106 through an inlet check valve 108. The first piston 103 is biased outwards from the housing 102 to bias the chain or belt through the first end 103 a of the first piston, through the tensioner arm 402 by the force of the first piston spring 104 and the pressure of oil in the first pressure chamber 111.

Alternatively, the first piston 103 could be solid, and in that case, the first piston spring 104 would contact the body of the first piston 103 and the bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a.

The second axially extending bore 102 c slidably receives a second piston 270. The second piston 270 has a body with a first end 270 a with a protrusion 270 d extending axially outwards from the body of the second piston 270, a second end 270 c, and a hollow interior 270 b with a closed first end 270 d.

Present within the hollow interior 270 b is a second piston spring 266 for biasing the second piston 270 outwards from the housing 102. The second piston spring 276 has a first end 276 a in contact with the closed first end 270 d of the interior 270 b of the second piston 270 and a second end 276 b in contact with the bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c. While not shown, a volume reducer may be present within the interior 270 b of the second piston 270.

An external spring 271 is present between the first end 270 a of the second piston 270 and the second surface 402 a of the tensioner arm 402 and surrounding the protrusion 270 d of the second piston 270. The first end 271 a of the external spring 270 is in contact with the second surface 402 a of the tensioner arm 402 and the second end 271 b of the external spring 270 in contact with the first end 270 a of the second piston 270. The stiffness of the external spring 271 is preferably greater than the second piston spring 276. The movement of the second piston 270 moves the second end 271 b of the external spring 271 outwards from the housing 102.

A second high pressure chamber 277 is formed between the hollow interior 270 b and the second axially extending bore 102 c, within which is the second piston spring 276. Fluid is supplied to the second high pressure chamber 277 through an inlet supply 109 and preferably a check valve 107. The inlet supply 109 may or may not be connected to the inlet supply line 106.

When the tensioner is tensioning a new chain or belt as shown in FIG. 9a , during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 from the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or a belt through a tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 270 is also biased outwards from the second axially extending bore 102 c by the second piston spring 276 and fluid supplied to the second pressure chamber 277 from the second inlet supply 109 and through inlet check valve 109 to bias a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm through external spring 271.

When the tensioner is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 270 is also biased outwards further through the second piston spring 276. Tension is also maintained by the external spring 271 on the tensioner arm 402. As the chain or belt wears further, additional slack is present in the chain or belt span and the first piston 103 and second piston 270 would need to be extended further outwards from the housing 102 to bias and adequately tension the chain or belt.

When the tensioner is tensioning a chain or belt during high dynamic chain load, the high cyclic dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow in FIG. 9b ) alternately pushes the first piston 103 and the second piston 270 inwards towards the housing 102 and then outwards from the housing 102. Inward movement of the piston 270 is resisted by fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber 277 created by check valve 107, and the piston 270 moves outward by the force of spring 276. This causes the piston to “pump up”, drawing fluid through check valve 107 into the second pressure chamber 277 in the second bore 102 c. This causes the first end 270 a of the second piston 270 to exert an outward force on the tensioner arm 402 through the external spring 271, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load decreases, fluid within the second pressure chamber 277 leaks to the engine through the second axially extending bore 102 c or through a vent. This leakage reduces the mean pressure present within the second pressure chamber 277.

It should be noted that at all operating conditions, the pressure in the second pressure chamber 277 will pump up to maintain a minimum preload in the external spring 271. When the force or preload in the external spring 271 gets too low, the second piston 270 moves out from the housing, due to the second piston spring 276 and pressure in the second pressure chamber 277 and draws more oil in through the inlet check valve 107.

Therefore, the first piston 103 in the first axially extending bore 102 a provides the dominant damping of the chain span or belt and the second piston 270 in the second axially extending bore 102 c provides the dominant and automatically adjusting spring force through the external spring 271. The tensioner of the present invention automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain or belt tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

FIGS. 10a-10b show a tensioner of a another embodiment using passive control to tension a chain under various conditions; FIG. 10a is tensioning a chain without high loads; and FIG. 10b is tensioning a chain with high load. The tensioner of FIGS. 10a-10b differs from the tensioner in FIGS. 8a-8b in that the second surface of the tensioner arm has a protrusion 402 c that protrudes axially into the external spring 261, in addition to a flat surface 402 a. It should be noted that surface 402 a may have some curvature.

The tensioner tensions the chain or belt (not shown) through a tensioner arm or shoe 402. It should be noted that the tensioner may also tension a belt through the tensioner arm or shoe 402. The tensioner arm 402 has a first sliding surface 402 b in contact with the chain or belt and a second surface 402 a opposite the first sliding surface 402 b. The second surface 402 a may be flat or mostly flat with some curvature may be present, and a protrusion 402 c that protrudes axially outwards towards the second piston 261.

The tensioner includes a housing 102 having a first axially extending bore 102 a parallel to a second axially extending bore 102 c. While the second bore 102 c of the housing 102 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 102 a, the second bore 102 c may be perpendicular to the first bore 102 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 102 a.

Slidably received within the first axially extending bore 102 a is a first piston 103. The first piston 103 has a body with a first end 103 a, a second end 103 c, and a hollow interior 103 b with a closed first end 103 d. Present within the hollow interior 103 b of the first piston 103 is a first piston spring 104. The first piston spring 104 has a first end 104 a in contact with the closed first end 103 d of the first piston 103 or a volume reducer 105 and a second end 104 b in contact with a bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a of the housing 102. A first pressure chamber 111 is formed between the first piston 103 and the first axially extending bore 102 a. Fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through a first supply 106 through an inlet check valve 108. The first piston 103 is biased outwards from the housing 102 to bias the chain or belt through the first end 103 a of the first piston, through the tensioner arm 402 by the force of the first piston spring 104 and the pressure of oil in the first pressure chamber 111.

Alternatively, the first piston 103 could be solid, and in that case the first piston spring 104 would contact the body of the first piston 103 and the bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a.

The second axially extending bore 102 c slidably receives a second piston 260. The second piston 260 has a body with a first end 260 a, a second end 260 c, and a hollow interior 260 b with a closed first end 260 d.

Present within the hollow interior 260 b is a second piston spring 266 for biasing the second piston 260 outwards from the housing 102. The second piston spring 266 has a first end 266 a in contact with the closed first end 260 d of the interior 260 b of the second piston 260 and a second end 266 b in contact with the bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c. While not shown, a volume reducer may be present within the interior 260 b of the second piston 260.

An external spring 261 is present between the first end 260 a of the second piston 260 and the second surface 402 a of the tensioner arm 402 with the first end 261 a of the external spring 260 in contact with the second surface 402 a of the tensioner arm 402 and surrounding a protrusion 402 c of the tensioner arm 402. The second end 261 b of the external spring 260 in contact with the first end 260 a of the second piston 260. The stiffness of the external spring 261 is preferably greater than the second piston spring 266. The movement of the second piston 260 moves the second end 261 b of the external spring 261 outwards from the housing 102.

A second high pressure chamber 267 is formed between the hollow interior 260 b and the second axially extending bore 102 c, within which is the second piston spring 266. Fluid is supplied to the second high pressure chamber 267 through an inlet supply 109 and preferably a check valve 107. The inlet supply 109 may or may not be connected to the inlet supply line 106.

When the tensioner is tensioning a new chain or belt as shown in FIG. 10a , during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 from the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through a tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 260 is also biased outwards from the second axially extending bore 102 c by the second piston spring 266 and fluid supplied to the second pressure chamber 267 from the second inlet supply 109 and through inlet check valve 109 to bias a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm through external spring 261.

When the tensioner is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 260 is also biased outwards further through the second piston spring 266. Tension is also maintained by the external spring 261 on the tensioner arm 402. As the chain or belt wears further, additional slack is present in the chain or belt span and the first piston 103 and second piston 260 would need to be extended further outwards from the housing 102 to bias and adequately tension the chain or belt.

When the tensioner is tensioning a chain or belt during high dynamic chain load, the high cyclic dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow in FIG. 10b ) alternately pushes the first piston 103 and the second piston 260 inwards towards the housing 102 and then outwards from the housing 102. Inward movement of the piston 260 is resisted by the fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber 267 created by check valve 107 and the piston 260 moves outward by the force of the spring 266. This causes the piston to “pump up”, drawing fluid through check valve 107 into the second pressure chamber 267 in the second bore 102 c. This causes the first end 260 a of the second piston 260 to exert an outward force on the tensioner arm 402 through the external spring 261, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load decreases, fluid within the second pressure chamber 267 leaks to the engine through the second axially extending bore 102 c or through a vent. This leakage reduces the mean pressure present within the second pressure chamber 267.

It should be noted that at all operating conditions, the pressure in the second pressure chamber 267 will pump up to maintain a minimum preload in the external spring 261. When the force or preload in the external spring 261 gets too low, the second piston 260 moves out from the housing, due to the second piston spring 266 and pressure in the second pressure chamber 267 and draws more oil in through the inlet check valve 107.

Therefore, the first piston 103 in the first axially extending bore 102 a provides the dominant damping of the chain span or belt and the second piston 260 in the second axially extending bore 102 c provides the dominant and automatically adjusting spring force through the external spring 261. The tensioner of the present invention automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

FIGS. 11a-11b show a tensioner of a another embodiment using passive control to tension a chain under various conditions; FIG. 11a is tensioning a chain without high loads; and FIG. 11b is tensioning a chain with high load.

The tensioner tensions the chain or belt (not shown) through a tensioner arm or shoe 402. It should be noted that the tensioner may also tension a belt through the tensioner arm or shoe 402. The tensioner arm 402 has a first sliding surface 402 b in contact with the chain and a second surface 402 a opposite the first sliding surface 402 b. The second surface 402 a may be flat or mostly flat with some curvature may be present, and a cutout 403. The cutout 403 is preferably large enough to receive a portion of an external spring 281.

The tensioner includes a housing 102 having a first axially extending bore 102 a parallel to a second axially extending bore 102 c. While the second bore 102 c of the housing 102 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 102 a, the second bore 102 c may be perpendicular to the first bore 102 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 102 a.

Slidably received within the first axially extending bore 102 a is a first piston 103. The first piston 103 has a body with a first end 103 a, a second end 103 c, and a hollow interior 103 b with a closed first end 103 d. Present within the hollow interior 103 b of the first piston 103 is a first piston spring 104. The first piston spring 104 has a first end 104 a in contact with the closed first end 103 d of the first piston 103 or a volume reducer 105 and a second end 104 b in contact with a bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a of the housing 102. A first pressure chamber 111 is formed between the first piston 103 and the first axially extending bore 102 a. Fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through a first supply 106 through an inlet check valve 108. The first piston 103 is biased outwards from the housing 102 to bias the chain through the first end 103 a of the first piston, through the tensioner arm 402 by the force of the first piston spring 104 and the pressure of oil in the first pressure chamber 111.

Alternatively, the first piston 103 could be solid, and in that case the first piston spring 104 would contact the body of the first piston 103 and the bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a.

The second axially extending bore 102 c slidably receives a second piston 280. The second piston 280 has a body with a first end 280 a, a second end 280 c, and a hollow interior 280 b with a closed first end 280 d. The body of the second piston 280 does not leave the second axially extending bore 102 c of the housing 102.

A second piston spring 286 for biasing the second piston 280 outwards from the housing 102 has a first end 286 a in contact with the first end 280 a of the second piston 280 and a second end 286 b in contact with the bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c.

Present within the hollow interior 280 b is an external spring 281. The first end 281 a of the external spring 281 contacts the closed first end 280 d of the interior 280 b of the second piston 280 and a second end 281 b of the external spring 281 contacts the cutout 403 of the tensioner arm 402. The stiffness of the external spring 281 is preferably greater than the second piston spring 286. The movement of the second piston 280 moves the second end 281 b of the external spring 281 outwards from the housing 102.

A second high pressure chamber 287 is formed between the first end 280 a and the second axially extending bore 102 c within in which is the second piston spring 286. Fluid is supplied to the second high pressure chamber 287 through an inlet supply 109 and preferably a check valve 107. The inlet supply 109 may or may not be connected to the inlet supply line 106. A volume reducer may be present in the second high pressure chamber 287.

When the tensioner is tensioning a new chain or belt as shown in FIG. 11a , during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 from the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through a tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 280 is also biased outwards from the second axially extending bore 102 c by the second piston spring 286 and fluid supplied to the second pressure chamber 287 from the second inlet supply 109 and through inlet check valve 109 to bias a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm through external spring 281.

When the tensioner is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 280 is also biased outwards further through the second piston spring 286. Tension is also maintained by the external spring 281 on the tensioner arm 402. As the chain or belt wears further, additional slack is present in the chain span and the first piston 103 and second piston 280 would need to be extended further outwards from the housing 102 to bias and adequately tension the chain or belt.

When the tensioner is tensioning a chain or belt during high dynamic chain or belt load, the high cyclic dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow in FIG. 11b ) alternately pushes the first piston 103 and the second piston 280 inwards towards the housing 102 and then outwards from the housing 102. Inward movement of the piston 280 is resisted by fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber 287 created by check valve 107, and the piston 280 moves outward by the force of the second piston spring 286. This causes the piston to “pump up”, drawing fluid through check valve 107 into the second pressure chamber 287 in the second bore 102 c. This causes the closed first end 280 d of the second piston 280 to exert an outward force on the tensioner arm 402 through the external spring 281, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load decreases, fluid within the second pressure chamber 287 leaks to the engine through the second axially extending bore 102 c or through a vent. This leakage reduces the mean pressure present within the second pressure chamber 287.

It should be noted that at all operating conditions, the pressure in the second pressure chamber 287 will pump up to maintain a minimum preload in the external spring 281. When the force or preload in the external spring 281 gets too low, the second piston 280 moves out from the housing 102, due to the second piston spring 286 and pressure in the second pressure chamber 287 and draws more oil in through the inlet check valve 107.

Therefore, the first piston 103 in the first axially extending bore 102 a provides the dominant damping of the chain span or belt and the second piston 280 in the second axially extending bore 102 c provides the dominant and automatically adjusting spring force through the external spring 281. The tensioner of the present invention automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

FIGS. 12a-12b show a tensioner of a another embodiment using passive control to tension a chain under various conditions; FIG. 12a is tensioning a chain without high loads; and FIG. 12b is tensioning a chain with high load. The difference between the tensioner in FIGS. 11a-11b and the tensioner in FIGS. 12a-12b is that the body of the second piston is longer and extends beyond the second bore.

The tensioner tensions the chain or belt (not shown) through a tensioner arm or shoe 402. It should be noted that the tensioner may also tension a belt through the tensioner arm or shoe 402. The tensioner arm 402 has a first sliding surface 402 b in contact with the chain and a second surface 402 a opposite the first sliding surface 402 b. The second surface 402 a may be flat or mostly flat with some curvature may be present and a cutout 403. The cutout 403 is preferably large enough to receive a portion of an external spring 291 and the second piston 290.

The tensioner includes a housing 102 having a first axially extending bore 102 a parallel to a second axially extending bore 102 c. While the second bore 102 c of the housing 102 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 102 a, the second bore 102 c may be perpendicular to the first bore 102 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 102 a.

Slidably received within the first axially extending bore 102 a is a first piston 103. The first piston 103 has a body with a first end 103 a, a second end 103 c, and a hollow interior 103 b with a closed first end 103 d. Present within the hollow interior 103 b of the first piston 103 is a first piston spring 104. The first piston spring 104 has a first end 104 a in contact with the closed first end 103 d of the first piston 103 or a volume reducer 105 and a second end 104 b in contact with a bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a of the housing 102. A first pressure chamber 111 is formed between the first piston 103 and the first axially extending bore 102 a. Fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through a first supply 106 through an inlet check valve 108. The first piston 103 is biased outwards from the housing 102 to bias the chain or belt through the first end 103 a of the first piston, through the tensioner arm 402 by the force of the first piston spring 104 and the pressure of oil in the first pressure chamber 111.

Alternatively, the first piston 103 could be solid, and in that case the first piston spring 104 would contact the body of the first piston 103 and the bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a.

The second axially extending bore 102 c and the cutout 403 slidably receives a second piston 290. The second piston 290 has a body with a first end 290 a, a second end 290 c, and a hollow interior 290 b with a closed first end 290 d. The body of the second piston 290 extends outwards from the second axially extending bore 102 c of the housing 102.

A second piston spring 296 for biasing the second piston 290 outwards from the housing 102 has a first end 296 a in contact with the first end 290 a of the second piston 290 and a second end 296 b in contact with the bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c.

Present within the hollow interior 290 b is an external spring 291. The first end 291 a of the external spring 291 contacts the closed first end 290 d of the interior 290 b of the second piston 290 and a second end 291 b of the external spring 291 contacts the cutout 403 of the tensioner arm 402. The stiffness of the external spring 291 is preferably greater than the second piston spring 286. The movement of the second piston 290 moves the second end 291 b of the external spring 291 outwards from the housing 102.

A second high pressure chamber 297 is formed between the first end 290 a and the second axially extending bore 102 c, within which is the second piston spring 286. Fluid is supplied to the second high pressure chamber 297 through an inlet supply 109 and preferably a check valve 107. The inlet supply 109 may or may not be connected to the inlet supply line 106. A volume reducer may be present in the second high pressure chamber 297.

When the tensioner is tensioning a new chain or belt as shown in FIG. 12a , during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 from the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through a tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 290 is also biased outwards from the second axially extending bore 102 c by the second piston spring 296 and fluid supplied to the second pressure chamber 297 from the second inlet supply 109 and through inlet check valve 109 to bias a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm through external spring 291.

When the tensioner is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 290 is also biased outwards further through the second piston spring 296. Tension is also maintained by the external spring 291 on the tensioner arm 402. As the chain or belt wears further, additional slack is present in the chain or belt span and the first piston 103 and second piston 290 would need to be extended further outwards from the housing 102 to bias and adequately tension the chain or belt.

When the tensioner is tensioning a chain or belt during high dynamic chain load as shown in FIG. 12b , the high cyclic dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow) pushes the first piston 103 and the second piston 290 inwards towards the housing 102 and then outwards from the housing 102. Inward movement of the second piston 290 is resisted by fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber 297 created by check valve 107, and the second piston 290 moves outward by the force of spring 296. This causes the piston to “pump up”, drawing fluid through check valve 107 into the second pressure chamber 297 in the second bore 102 c. This causes the closed first end 290 d of the second piston 290 to exert an outward force on the tensioner arm 402 through the external spring 291, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load reduces fluid within the second pressure chamber 297 leaks to the engine through the second axially extending bore 102 c or through a vent. This leakage reduces the mean pressure present within the second pressure chamber 297.

It should be noted that at all operating conditions, the pressure in the second pressure chamber 297 will pump up to maintain a minimum preload in the external spring 291. When the force or preload in the external spring 291 gets too low, the second piston 290 moves out from the housing 102, due to the second piston spring 296 and pressure in the second pressure chamber 297 and draws more oil in through the inlet check valve 107.

Therefore, the first piston 103 in the first axially extending bore 102 a provides the dominant damping of the chain span or belt and the second piston 290 in the second axially extending bore 102 c provides the dominant and automatically adjusting spring force through the external spring 291. The tensioner of the present invention automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

FIGS. 13a-13b show a tensioner of a another embodiment using passive control to tension a chain under various conditions; FIG. 13a is tensioning a chain without high loads; and FIG. 13b is tensioning a chain with high load.

The tensioner tensions the chain or belt (not shown) through a tensioner arm or shoe 402. It should be noted that the tensioner may also tension a belt through the tensioner arm or shoe 402. The tensioner arm 402 has a first sliding surface 402 b in contact with the chain and a second surface 402 a opposite the first sliding surface 402 b. The second surface 402 a may be flat or mostly flat with some curvature present, and a cutout. The cutout 403 is preferably large enough to receive a portion of a third piston spring 301 and a third piston 300.

The third piston 300 is slidably received within the cutout 403 of the tensioner arm 402 and has a body with a first end 300 a, a second end 300 c and an interior 300 b with a closed first end 300 d. The third piston spring 301 has a first end 301 a in contact with the cutout 403 and the second end 301 b in contact with the closed first end 300 d of the interior 300 b of the third piston 300. The third piston spring 301 biases the third piston 300 away from the tensioner arm 402 or towards the housing 102.

The tensioner includes a housing 102 having a first axially extending bore 102 a parallel to a second axially extending bore 102 c. While the second bore 102 c of the housing 102 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 102 a, the second bore 102 c may be perpendicular to the first bore 102 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 102 a.

Slidably received within the first axially extending bore 102 a is a first piston 103. The first piston 103 has a body with a first end 103 a, a second end 103 c, and a hollow interior 103 b with a closed first end 103 d. Present within the hollow interior 103 b of the first piston 103 is a first piston spring 104. The first piston spring 104 has a first end 104 a in contact with the closed first end 103 d of the first piston 103 or a volume reducer 105 and a second end 104 b in contact with a bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a of the housing 102. A first pressure chamber 111 is formed between the first piston 103 and the first axially extending bore 102 a. Fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through a first supply 106 through an inlet check valve 108. The first piston 103 is biased outwards from the housing 102 to bias the chain through the first end 103 a of the first piston, through the tensioner arm 402 by the force of the first piston spring 104 and the pressure of oil in the first pressure chamber 111.

Alternatively, the first piston 103 could be solid, and in that case the first piston spring 104 would contact the body of the first piston 103 and the bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a.

The second axially extending bore 102 c slidably receives a second piston 260. The second piston 260 has a body with a first end 260 a, a second end 260 c, and a hollow interior 260 b with a closed first end 260 d.

Present within the hollow interior 260 b is a second piston spring 266 for biasing the second piston 260 outwards from the housing 102. The second piston spring 266 has a first end 266 a in contact with the closed first end 260 d of the interior 260 b of the second piston 260 and a second end 266 b in contact with the bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c. While not shown, a volume reducer may be present within the interior 260 b of the second piston 260.

The first end 260 a of the second piston directly contacts and biases the first end 300 a of the third piston 300.

The stiffness of the third piston spring 301 is preferably greater than the second piston spring 266. The movement of the second piston 260 moves the third piston 300 and thus the second end 301 b of the third piston spring 301 outwards from the housing 102.

A second high pressure chamber 267 is formed between the hollow interior 260 b and the second axially extending bore 102 c, within which is the second piston spring 266. Fluid is supplied to the second high pressure chamber 267 through an inlet supply 109 and preferably a check valve 107. The inlet supply 109 may or may not be connected to the inlet supply line 106.

When the tensioner is tensioning a new chain or belt as shown in FIG. 13a , during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 from the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through a tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 260 is also biased outwards from the second axially extending bore 102 c by the second piston spring 266 and fluid supplied to the second pressure chamber 267 from the second inlet supply 109 and through inlet check valve 109 to bias a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm through third piston spring 301 and third piston 300.

When the tensioner is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 260 is also biased outwards further through the second piston spring 266. Tension is also maintained by the third piston spring 301 and third piston of the tensioner arm 402. As the chain or belt wears further, additional slack is present in the chain span and the first piston 103 and second piston 260 would need to be extended further outwards from the housing 102 to bias and adequately tension the chain or belt.

When the tensioner is tensioning a chain or belt during high cyclic dynamic chain load, the high cyclic dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow in FIG. 13b ) pushes the first piston 103 and the second piston 260 inwards towards the housing 102 and then outwards from the housing 102. Inward movement of the second piston 260 is resisted by fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber 267 created by check valve 107, and the second piston 260 moves outward by the force of spring 266. This causes the piston to “pump up”, drawing fluid through the check valve 107 into the second pressure chamber 267 in the second bore 102 c. This causes the first end 260 a of the second piston 260 to exert an outward force on the tensioner arm 402 through the third piston 300 and the third piston spring 301 of the tensioner arm 402, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load decreases, fluid within the second pressure chamber 267 leaks to the engine through the second axially extending bore 102 c or through a vent. This leakage reduces the mean pressure present within the second pressure chamber 267.

It should be noted that at all operating conditions, the pressure in the second pressure chamber 267 will pump up to maintain a minimum preload in the third piston spring 301 through the third piston 300. When the force or preload in the external spring 301 gets too low, the second piston 260 moves out from the housing, biasing the third piston 300 towards the tensioner arm, due to the second piston spring 266 and pressure in the second pressure chamber 267 and draws more oil in through the inlet check valve 107.

Therefore, the first piston 103 in the first axially extending bore 102 a provides the dominant damping of the chain span or belt and the second piston 260 in the second axially extending bore 102 c provides the dominant and automatically adjusting spring force through the third piston 300 and third piston spring 301. The tensioner of the present invention automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain or belt tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

FIGS. 14a-14b show a tensioner of a another embodiment using passive control to tension a chain under various conditions; FIG. 14a is tensioning a chain without high loads; and FIG. 14b is tensioning a chain with high load. The tensioner of FIGS. 14a-14b differs from the tensioner in FIGS. 9a-9b in that the tensioner arm has a cutout that receives the external spring 271 and the second piston 270 if necessary.

The tensioner tensions the chain (not shown) through a tensioner arm or shoe 402. The tensioner arm 402 has a first sliding surface 402 b in contact with the chain and a second surface 402 a opposite the first sliding surface 402 b. The second surface 402 a may be flat or mostly flat with some curvature present and a cutout 403. The cutout 403 is preferably large enough to receive a portion of the second piston 270.

The tensioner includes a housing 102 having a first axially extending bore 102 a parallel to a second axially extending bore 102 c. It should be noted that the tensioner may also tension a belt through the tensioner arm or shoe 402. While the second bore 102 c of the housing 102 is shown as being parallel to the first bore 102 a, the second bore 102 c may be perpendicular to the first bore 102 a or at some other angle relative to the first bore 102 a.

Slidably received within the first axially extending bore 102 a is a first piston 103. The first piston 103 has a body with a first end 103 a, a second end 103 c, and a hollow interior 103 b with a closed first end 103 d. Present within the hollow interior 103 b of the first piston 103 is a first piston spring 104. The first piston spring 104 has a first end 104 a in contact with the closed first end 103 d of the first piston 103 or a volume reducer 105 and a second end 104 b in contact with a bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a of the housing 102. A first pressure chamber 111 is formed between the first piston 103 and the first axially extending bore 102 a. Fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through a first supply 106 through an inlet check valve 108. The first piston 103 is biased outwards from the housing 102 to bias the chain through the first end 103 a of the first piston, through the tensioner arm 402 by the force of the first piston spring 104 and the pressure of oil in the first pressure chamber 111.

Alternatively, the first piston 103 could be solid, and in that case the first piston spring 104 would contact the body of the first piston 103 and the bottom 102 b of the first axially extending bore 102 a.

The second axially extending bore 102 c slidably receives a second piston 270. The second piston 270 has a body with a first end 270 a with a protrusion 270 e extending axially outwards from the body of the second piston 270, a second end 270 c, and a hollow interior 270 b with a closed first end 270 d. The protrusion 270 e centers and guides the external spring 271.

Present within the hollow interior 270 b is a second piston spring 276 for biasing the second piston 270 outwards from the housing 102. The second piston spring 276 has a first end 276 a in contact with the closed first end 270 d of the interior 270 b of the second piston 270 and a second end 276 b in contact with the bottom 102 d of the second axially extending bore 102 c. While not shown, a volume reducer may be present within the interior 270 b of the second piston 270.

An external spring 271 is present between the first end 270 a of the second piston 270 and the second flat surface 402 a of the tensioner arm 402 and surrounding the protrusion 270 e of the second piston 270. The first end 271 a of the external spring 270 is in contact with the cutout 403 of the tensioner arm 402 and the second end 271 b of the external spring 270 in contact with the first end 270 a of the second piston 270. The stiffness of the external spring 271 is preferably greater than the second piston spring 276. The movement of the second piston 270 moves the second end 271 b of the external spring 271 outwards from the housing 102.

A second high pressure chamber 277 is formed between the hollow interior 270 b and the second axially extending bore 102 c, within which is the second piston spring 276. Fluid is supplied to the second high pressure chamber 277 through an inlet supply 109 and preferably a check valve 107. The inlet supply 109 may or may not be connected to the inlet supply line 106.

When the tensioner is tensioning a new chain or belt as shown in FIG. 14a , during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 from the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through a tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 270 is also biased outwards from the second axially extending bore 102 c by the second piston spring 276 and fluid supplied to the second pressure chamber 277 from the second inlet supply 109 and through inlet check valve 109 to bias a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm through external spring 271.

When the tensioner is tensioning a worn chain or belt without high load, during operation, fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber 111 through the first inlet supply 106 and through an inlet check valve 108 and biases the first piston 103 outwards from the housing 102 in addition to the spring force of the first piston spring 104, biasing a span of the closed loop chain or belt through the tensioner arm 402. At the same time, the second piston 270 is also biased outwards further through the second piston spring 276. Tension is also maintained by the external spring 271 on the tensioner arm 402. As the chain or belt wears further, additional slack is present in the chain or belt span and the first piston 103 and second piston 270 would need to be extended further outwards from the housing 102 to bias and adequately tension the chain or belt.

When the tensioner is tensioning a chain or belt during high dynamic chain or belt load, the high cyclic dynamic load force from the chain or belt (shown by the arrow in FIG. 14b ) alternately pushes the first piston 103 and the second piston 270 inwards towards the housing 102 and then outwards from the housing 102. Inward movement of the second piston 270 is resisted by fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber 277 created by inlet check valve 107 and the second piston 270 moves outward by the force of spring 276. This causes the piston to “pump up”, drawing fluid through the check valve 107 into the second pressure chamber 277 in the second bore 102 c. This causes the first end 270 a of the second piston 270 to exert an outward force on the tensioner arm 402 through the external spring 271, opposing the inward force of the dynamic load.

When the dynamic chain or belt load decreases, fluid within the second pressure chamber 277 leaks to the engine through the second axially extending bore 102 c or through a vent. This leakage reduces the mean pressure present within the second pressure chamber 277.

It should be noted that at all operating conditions, the pressure in the second pressure chamber 277 will pump up to maintain a minimum preload in the external spring 271. When the force or preload in the external spring 271 gets too low, the second piston 270 moves out from the housing, due to the second piston spring 276 and pressure in the second pressure chamber 277 and draws more oil in through the inlet check valve 107.

Therefore, the first piston 103 in the first axially extending bore 102 a provides the dominant damping of the chain span or belt and the second piston 270 in the second axially extending bore 102 c provides the dominant and automatically adjusting spring force through the external spring 271. The tensioner of the present invention automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

In any of the above embodiments, the external first pistons and second pistons may have grooves on an outer circumference that engage and ratchet with a pawl or ratchet clip as known in the art.

Seals may be used to limit leakage around the pistons.

In FIGS. 8a-10b and 13a-13b , the second piston may be one piece or solid.

In the above embodiments, leakage of the first piston high pressure chamber may be controlled through a vent or pressure relief valve.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A passive tensioner system for tensioning a span of a chain or a belt comprising: a tensioner arm comprising a first sliding surface in which the chain or belt slides and a second surface opposite the first surface; and a tensioner comprising: a housing having a first axially extending bore with a first fluid input and a second axially extending bore with a second fluid input; a first piston slidably received by the first axially extending bore, forming a first pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid input between the first piston and the first axially extending bore, the first piston comprising a body having a first end and a second end; a second piston slidably received within the second axially extending bore, the second piston comprising a body having an open end and a closed end, a bottom surface at the open end, a top surface at the closed end, and a hollow interior having an inner diameter, the second axially extending bore forming a second pressure chamber defined within the second axially extending bore and the second piston, the second pressure chamber in fluid communication with the second fluid input through a check valve; a second piston spring in the second pressure chamber, the second piston spring having a first end in contact with the second piston and a second end in contact with a bottom of the second axially extending bore; an external spring between the second piston and the tensioner arm, the external piston spring having a first end in contact with the second surface of the tensioner arm and a second end in contact with the second piston; wherein when dynamic load from the chain or belt moves the first piston and the second piston inwards and outwards from the housing, fluid from the second fluid input is drawn into the second pressure chamber through the check valve as the second piston is moved outwards from the housing by the second piston spring, creating a fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber as the second piston moves inward, causing the second piston to exert an outward force on the external spring, opposing an inward force of the dynamic load from the tensioner arm.
 2. The tensioner system of claim 1, further comprising a protrusion surrounded by an end of the external spring.
 3. The tensioner system of claim 2, wherein the protrusion extends axially from the top surface at the closed end of the body of the second piston.
 4. The tensioner system of claim 2, wherein the protrusion extends from the second surface of the tensioner arm.
 5. The tensioner system of claim 1, in which the second surface of the tensioner arm further comprises a cutout for receiving the first end of the external spring.
 6. The tensioner system of claim 1, wherein the body of the first piston further comprises an open end at the second end of the body and a closed end at the first end of the body, a bottom surface at the open end, and a hollow interior having an inner diameter.
 7. The tensioner system of claim 6, further comprising a first piston spring for biasing the first piston outwards from the housing, received within the hollow interior of the first piston, the first piston spring having a first end contacting the hollow interior of the first piston and a second end contacting the first axially extending bore.
 8. The tensioner system of claim 7, wherein the external spring has a greater spring constant than the second piston spring and the first piston spring.
 9. A passive tensioner system tensioning a span of chain or a belt comprising: a tensioner arm comprising a first sliding surface in which the chain or belt slides and a second surface, opposite the first surface, the second surface comprising a cutout portion; and a tensioner comprising: a housing have a first axially extending bore with a first fluid input and a second axially extending bore with a second fluid input; a first piston slidably received by the first axially extending bore, forming a first pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid input between the first piston and the first axially extending bore, the first piston comprising a body having a first end and a second end; a second piston slidably received within the second axially extending bore, the second piston comprising a body having an open end and a closed end, a bottom surface at the open end, a top surface at the closed end, and a hollow interior having an inner diameter, the second axially extending bore forming a second pressure chamber defined between the inner diameter of the second piston and the second axially extending bore, in fluid communication with the second fluid input through a check valve; a second piston spring in the second pressure chamber, the second piston spring having a first end in contact with the second piston and a second end in contact with a bottom of the second axially extending bore; a third piston slidably received within the cutout of the tensioner arm, the third piston comprising a body having an open end, and a closed end, a bottom surface at the open end, a top surface at the closed end, and a hollow interior having an inner diameter; a third piston spring received by the hollow interior of the third piston, the third piston spring having a first end in contact with the cutout of the tensioner arm and a second end in contact with the third piston; and the top surface at the closed end of the third piston being in contact with the top surface of the second piston; wherein when dynamic load from the chain or belt moves the first piston and the second piston inwards and outwards from the housing, fluid from the second fluid input is drawn into the second pressure chamber through the check valve as the second piston is moved outwards from the housing by the second piston spring, creating a fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber as the second piston moves inward, causing the second piston to exert an outward force on the third piston and third piston spring, opposing an inward force of the dynamic load from the tensioner arm.
 10. The tensioner system of claim 9, wherein the body of the first piston further comprises an open end at the second end of the body and a closed end at the first end of the body, a bottom surface at the open end, and a hollow interior having an inner diameter.
 11. The tensioner system of claim 10, further comprising a first piston spring for biasing the first piston outwards from the housing, received within the hollow interior of the first piston, the first piston spring having a first end contacting the hollow interior of the first piston and a second end contacting the first axially extending bore.
 12. The tensioner system of claim 11, wherein the external spring has a greater spring constant than the second piston spring and the first piston spring, and the second piston spring has a greater spring constant than the first piston spring.
 13. A passive tensioner system tensioning a span of chain or a belt comprising: a tensioner arm comprising a first sliding surface in which the chain or belt slides and a second surface, opposite the first surface, the second surface comprising a cutout portion; and a tensioner comprising: a housing have a first axially extending bore with a first fluid input and a second axially extending bore with a second fluid input; a first piston slidably received by the first axially extending bore, forming a first pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid input between the first piston and the first axially extending bore, the first piston comprising a body having a first end and a second end; a second piston slidably received within the second axially extending bore, the second piston comprising a body having an open end and a closed end, a bottom surface at the open end, a top surface at the closed end, and a hollow interior having an inner diameter, the second axially extending bore forming a second pressure chamber defined between the top surface at the closed end of the second piston and the second axially extending bore, in fluid communication with the second fluid input through a check valve; a second piston spring in the second pressure chamber, the second piston spring having a first end in contact with the second piston and a second end in contact with a bottom of the second axially extending bore; an external spring between the second piston and the tensioner arm, the external piston spring having a first end in contact with the cutout of the tensioner arm and a second end in contact with the second piston; wherein when dynamic load from the chain or belt moves the first piston and the second piston inwards and outwards from the housing, fluid from the second fluid input is drawn into the second pressure chamber through the check valve, as the second piston is moved outwards from the housing by the second piston spring, creating a fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber as the second piston moves inward, causing the second piston to exert an outward force on the external spring, opposing an inward force of the dynamic load from the tensioner arm.
 14. The tensioner system of claim 13, wherein the body of the second piston extends outwards from the second axially extending bore.
 15. The tensioner system of claim 13, wherein the external spring has a greater spring constant than the second piston spring and a first piston spring for biasing the first piston outwards from the housing. 